Rugby | Vodacom Super Rugby

Bulls reveal new jersey, kit sponsor

The Vodacom Bulls have announced a lucrative five-year sponsorship deal with kit manufacturers Puma with immediate effect.

The deal, which was meant to go through several months ago, was held up after the Blue Bulls and former kit sponsors Gilbert were involved in a legal battle as to the rights for renewal of the contract.

Gilbert won the initial court case, but last week the Blue Bulls Company won the case on appeal, allowing them to choose their new kit sponsor as they wish.

The Loftus Versfeld Union announced the new deal on Tuesday, and revealed the new Vodacom Bulls jersey for the coming Vodacom Super Rugby season which is bold and innovative, but may not please some of the more conservative fans.

“The Vodacom Bulls has signed a five year partnership with renowned sports brand Puma and the clothing brand will be the official kit supplier to every team under the Blue Bulls Company’s auspices,” a team release said on Tuesday.

Blue Bulls Company CEO Barend van Graan is delighted with the new partnership;

“Puma is a brand that is young, dynamic, adventurous and proud. As a Company we constantly strive towards such pillars and so see great synergy between these brands. We look forward to launching our new playing kit within the next few days, a kit that we believe adequately reflects our style of play and rugby ambitions.”

Puma has a long-term deal to supply full technical kit to all the Vodacom Blue Bulls teams and the Vodacom Bulls rugby team, and is the official distributor of the teams’ replica match gear.

The Vodacom Super Rugby replica shirt will be available from 15 December 2011 and will retail for R599.